Transit of Venus March
<a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/142">John Philip Sousa</a> wrote this march in 1883 for the unveiling of the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/19">statue of Joseph Henry</a>, first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, on April 19, 1883. At that event, the piece was played by the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/144">Marine Band</a>, directed by Sousa. The sheet music was lost for over 100 years, until a copy was found in the Library of Congress. This recording features the Virginia Grand Military Band.
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Library of Congress. <a href="http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200002625/default.html">Listen to full recording</a>. <a href="http://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010997">View sheet music</a>.
1883
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John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor, best known for his military marches, which school, professional, and military bands still play today. He served as Director of the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/144">United States Marine Band</a>, based in Washington, DC, from 1880-1892. In 1883, Sousa directed the band in front of the Smithsonian Castle for the dedication of the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/19">statue</a> of <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/349">Joseph Henry</a>. Sousa wrote the military march "The Transit of Venus March," for the occasion at the request of the Smithsonian Institution. The music played while dignitaries walked to a special receiving stand in front of the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/52">Castle</a>.
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Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. <a href="http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/cph/item/2005676156/">View original image</a>.
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